How to Find Great Games for Your Low-Power PC or Laptop

PC gaming is experiencing something of a renaissance at the moment, but most people still use their machines as utilitarian web and email access points rather than a platform for video games. But even if your computer has all the graphical power of a sedated hamster, there are plenty of great options for gaming.

To start, you’re going to want Steam, which is still the premier PC gaming store right now. Any Windows-based machine (even tablets) or Mac can download the program, and creating an account and browsing the store is free. You might want to look into alternatives, too, especially Good Old Games’ Galaxy and EA’s Origin, both of which are filled to the brim with older games. Check out this article for a list of stores that should work even on old or low-power machines.

You’ll also want some kind of controller, at least if your gaming tastes extend beyond mouse-driven fare like shooters, adventures, and strategy games. Microsoft’s Xbox controllers are the de facto standard for PC games, and they’re available in both wired and wireless models. The Xbox 360 and Xbox One versions are both solid options—there’s very little practical difference in the designs, though the Xbox One controller ($45) does subjectively look a bit nicer. The Xbox 360 controller ($30) is a bit cheaper, though.

That being said, prospective laptop gamers might want to take a look at the recent revision of the Xbox One controller. It includes Bluetooth in addition to Microsoft’s proprietary RF technology, so a separate (and bulky) USB adapter is not required. There are other options, like the Steam Controller and a ton of third-party wired and Bluetooth controllers, but I’d still recommend staying with the Xbox designs unless you have a compelling reason to go elsewhere.